NFL World Is Split on Controversial Spot on Packers’ Failed Tush Push vs. 49ers

Jordan Love tried to pick up a huge fourth-down as Green Bay looked to take control vs. San Francisco.

After taking control of last weekend’s game against the Dallas Cowboys early, the Green Bay Packers tried to do the same on Saturday evening as they tried to take down the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately for the cheesehead faithful, quarterback Jordan Love was just inches short on a fourth-down Tush Push—at least, based on the call on the field.

The Packers went up 3–0 on a lengthy game-opening drive resulting in an Anders Carlson field goal. After forcing a punt on the 49ers’ first drive, Green Bay went 68 yards down the field, to San Francisco’s 14-yard line. On fourth-and-1, rather than settle for another field goal, coach Matt LaFleur dialed up a Tush Push. As has been the case for non-Philadelphia Eagles teams this year, it wasn’t quite successful, and Love was ruled just short of the first-down marker.

The @49ers stop the QB sneak on 4th and short!

📺: #GBvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/yDUx5ZutVa pic.twitter.com/HVGu6XC9c3

— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024

After the turnover on downs, NFL media members and fans were very split on the spot of the ball, a call that could go a long way towards determining the result of this game.

Not sure why Packers didn’t challenge the spot. Even less sure why the NFL doesn’t join the 21st Century and invest in technology that could tell you exactly where the ball is.

— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) January 21, 2024

Believe the Packers were legit short on 3rd and 4th, but it remains ridiculous that there is not a more accurate way to spot the ball in 2024.

— Adam Silverstein (@SilversteinAdam) January 21, 2024

Awful spot!!!!!

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 21, 2024

One day we'll laugh about the fact that in 2024, the NFL was still measuring first downs with best-guessing and two guys with sticks and a chain.

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) January 21, 2024

The packers got hosed by the refs lmao the spot is so bad pic.twitter.com/9WScigP5c0

— John (@iam_johnw) January 21, 2024

I don’t think Love got this!!! Refs spot incoming #Packers #Niners pic.twitter.com/6ajgGI9LG5

— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco) January 21, 2024

I disagree it's not the helmet or the left arm. It's the ball I thought the spot was good. https://t.co/R6QNnG3U54

— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) January 21, 2024

Whether or not the call was correct, it was very costly for Green Bay. On the ensuing drive, Brock Purdy led the 49ers on an 86-yard touchdown drive, capped with a 32-yard touchdown pass to George Kittle to put his team up 7–3.

After another Packers field goal, the 49ers lead 7–6 late in the second quarter.